Chelsea name oldest Premier League starting XI in nearly three years for Brentford derby

Chelsea have named their oldest Premier League starting line-up in nearly three and a half years for their West London derby against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Blues go into the fifth-round fixture sixth in the table with seven points, one place and one point ahead of Brentford, who have six points in seventh. The match offers both sides an opportunity to move closer to the top four.

The selection made by Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso represents a significant change in the club’s approach to team-building. The starting XI has an average age of 27 years and 349 days, the highest for Chelsea in the Premier League since their meeting with Arsenal in May 2023, when the average was 28 years and 278 days, according to Sky Sports.

The line-up also creates a notable piece of recent club history. Danny Welbeck, aged 35, and Jordan Henderson, aged 36, are the oldest English players to start a Premier League match for Chelsea since John Terry, who was 36 when he played against Sunderland in May 2017.

OptaJoe highlighted the record involving Welbeck and Henderson, noting that their inclusion marked the first time Chelsea had started a Premier League match with two English players of such ages since Terry’s appearance against Sunderland.

Chelsea’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Martinez.

Defenders: Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill.

Midfielders: Pedro Neto, Jordan Henderson, Julio Barco, Shavare.

Forwards: Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck.

The substitutes are Penders, Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Romeo Lavia, Nicolo Gazzoli, Gittens, Estevao and Quenda.